Chosen By God
The Book of Beginnings • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:36
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· 591 viewsHow should we feel about the doctrine of election?
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INTRO
INTRO
Birth Order Theory
Birth Order Theory
First = Natural leader, ambitious, responsible
Middle = Social butterfly, peacekeeper, fairness-obsessed
Baby = Free spirit, risk taker, charming
What about twins?
Only children = clearly the best!
“You are my favorite child”...
“You are my favorite child”...
Last week, fathers day - God has chosen children
Chapter 25 Structure
vv. 1-18 = Abrahams Death & Descendants
1-6 = Abraham, Keturah & Sons
7-11 = Abrahams Death
12-18 = Ismael’s Descendants
vv. 19-28 = Birth of Jacob and Esau
19-20 = setting the stage
21-22 = parental plights
23 = prophecy over progeny
24-26 = birth of boys
27-28 = parental preferences
vv. 29-34 = Esau Sells Birthright
How do we reconcile ourselves with the truth of God’s election and our free will?
What does this do to our theology?
What does it mean to be elected by God?
How does the Bible say we should respond to this truth?
The world says
Illustration of need addressed.
Connect illustration to present day hearers.
Transition = Show this need or similar issue was also the question behind the biblical text.
Clearly state the theme of the text/sermon.
Title & Text
Chosen By God
Theme
Because of grace Gods special election continues with Jacob.
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Gods special election continues with Jacob.
Chapter 25 Structure
vv. 1-18 = Abrahams Death & Descendants
1-6 = Abraham, Keturah & Sons
7-11 = Abrahams Death
12-18 = Ismael’s Descendants
vv. 19-28 = Birth of Jacob and Esau
19-20 = setting the stage
21-22 = parental plights
23 = prophecy over progeny
24-26 = birth of boys
27-28 = parental preferences
vv. 29-34 = Esau Sells Birthright
Pray
God our Father as we seek to tackle the weighty doctrine of election today please give us your Spirit. No one can explain this truth without your Spirit and we cannot hope to understand it without this same Spirit. God therefore we beg you to renew our minds today through the washing of your word though the guidance of your Spirit.
Amen.
THE SERMON BODY
THE SERMON BODY
19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” 24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Chapter 25 Structure
vv. 1-18 = Abrahams Death & Descendants
vv. 1-18 = Abrahams Death & Descendants
1-6 = Abraham, Keturah & Sons
Gen 25.
1-6 = Abraham, Keturah & Sons
7-11 = Abrahams Death
1-6 = Abraham, Keturah & Sons
7-11 = Abrahams Death
12-18 = Ismael’s Descendants
12-18 = Ismael’s Descendants
vv. 19-28 = Birth of Jacob and Esau
7-11 = Abrahams Death
vv. 19-28 = Birth of Jacob and Esau
19-20 = setting the stage
19-22 = conception of children
21-22 = parental plights
12-18 = Ismael’s Descendants
23 = prophecy over progeny
23 = prophecy over progeny
23 = prophecy over progeny
24-26 = birth of boys
24-26 = birth of boys
vv. 19-28 = Birth of Jacob and Esau
19-22 = conception of children
27-28 = parental preferences
23 = prophecy over progeny
27-28 = parental preferences
24-26 = birth of boys
27-28 = parental preferences
vv. 29-34 = Esau Sells Birthright
vv. 29-34 = Esau Sells Birthright
vv. 29-34 = Esau Sells Birthright
Main Points
ggg
Main points should support the theme.
19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.
vv 19
Start of a new section of scripture = death of Abraham = life of Isaac
Twice mentions Abraham as Isaacs father = chosen son of Abraham
vv 20
Isaacs age at marriage = grown man
later his age at boys birth
Rebekah as his wife! - taken from - called to…
Aramean = not the people of God
Paddan-aram = not the land of promise
Gen 25.19-
21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
vv 19
x
Things aren’t always what they seem.
vv 21
Main points should support the theme.
Rebekah had same issue as Sarah
Isaac sought God - not a concubine - [LORD] = personal God
God hears and answers prayer
answer greater then request
vv 22
struggled = crush, broke, oppress, inflict, bruise
within her…
painfull
Do you ever feel this way? Battling the flesh?
Rebekah = from hardship to concern [why do I live?]
Rebekah also sought the LORD - not sure what this means [seek a seer, prophet of God]
23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”
God answers!
Skip 23 for now...
As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Prophecy over the children - God’s choosing - [return to this shortly]
prophecy over children
Two nations = 17.16; 24.60
no such thing as ultrasound back then!!
16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
Two nations = 17.16; 24.60
God to Abraham - Sarah = Plurality - Nations, Kings, peoples...
16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”
God to Abraham - Sarah = Plurality - Nations, Kings, peoples...
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”
him = them - plural
him = them - plural
Divisions = reason for struggles - back to the garden - before birth!
Weaker & Stronger / Master & Servant
firstborn usually chosen to succeed the father
physical strength / spiritual strength
Esau’s descendants serve King David during his time
14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
counter intuitive - counter cultural - opposite of expectations
As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
vv 24
Twins discovered
vv 25
Firstborn = rightful heir even to the second
Red - like the potage he would eat
Hairy - physically fit for the elements
vv 26
Second = like the fiddle… yet holding his heel!!
Jacob = “takes by the heel” or “he cheats”
seeking to take from brother
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
Pay attention to the descriptives here
the first = legitimate claim to the title of first born
Gen 25.24-
red & hairy / cloak
x
Reminds us of the toledot segmentations
the second / afterward = holding the heel
Seed & Serpent
Jacob = takes by the heel / he cheats - seeking to take birthrights from elder!
seeking to take by own power!
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
Where are we striving against our brothers and against our God?
Isaac was 60 = waited 20yrs for children
20yrs seeking God in prayer
Beastliness of mankind apart from God!
20yrs of patience!
27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.
vv 27
Natural physical propensities
Esau = Mans man
Gaston = from beauty and the beast!
outdoorsman - hunter [skilled = knowledge of the hunt] - loud - camping outdoors
Nimrod - - the mighty hunter before God
Jacob = still no sissy
quiet - contemplative - indoor activities - strove with man & God!
learn later smooth skinned
vv 28
Why did they love them? - Who was their favorite child? - Why were they the favorite?
Isaac loved Esau - food
Rebekah loved Jacob - promise
Why do we love your children?
Why does God love us as his children?
Jacob was chosen by God
23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”
As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Prophecy over the children - God’s choosing - [return to this shortly]
English Standard Version Chapter 4
And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.
16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
God to Abraham - Sarah = Plurality - Nations, Kings, peoples...
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”
him = them - plural
Divisions = reason for struggles / not just space
back to the garden - before birth!
Weaker & Stronger / Master & Servant
firstborn usually chosen to succeed the father
physical strength = world
Esau’s descendants serve King David during his time
14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
counter intuitive - counter cultural - opposite of expectations
23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”
Before birth God knew who would do what and why
Starts the next path for the patriarchs
Therefore he says later = Quote from…
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’ ”
use simple and clear transitions to give structure to movement.
As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Theme
Because of grace God’s special election continues through Jacob
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Why does God love us as his children?
Why does God choose some and not choose others?
How do we reconcile ourselves with the truth of God’s election and our free will?
What does this do to our theology?
What does it mean to be elected by God?
How does the Bible say we should respond to this truth?
God loved Jacob because God loved Jacob
Jacob loved God because God loved Jacob
God loved Jacob because Jacob loved God
God’s special election continues today!!
if we belong to God it is only because He chose us.
if we belong to God it is only because He caused us to choose Him
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ”
Rom 9
Use verse references before quoting so that listeners can read along.
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
If I could I would damn myself so that these might know the truth!
would you say that?
They have knowledge...
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Last weeks sermon...
Works of Abraham
Child of the promise
10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Todays message...
Paul pre-empts our questions…
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
“Foul Play”! = You say?
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Paul answers us this way...
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ”
This truth can foster one of two attitudes:
Praise & Worship
Use personal observances to illustrate difficult concepts.
Bitterness & Hardness
Bitterness & Hardness
questioning God’s character
practice disobedience because of despondency
love, mercy, justice, power, righteousness
practice disobedience because of despondency
selfishness, ingratitude, lacking mercy, compassion
selfishness, ingratitude, lacking mercy, compassion
Worship & Witness
bewilderment at God’s choices
driven to obedience out of assurance
driven to obedience out of assurance
selflessness, merciful, compassionate, filled with gratitude
19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” 24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Main points should support the theme.
points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.
use simple and clear transitions to give structure to movement.
Use verse references before quoting so that listeners can read along.
Use personal observances to illustrate difficult concepts.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Be brief.
Don’t introduce new material.
narrow the focus don’t expand it.
Clinch the goal.
Give concrete applications.
Goal
Seek to understand and respond appropriately to the gracious doctrine of election
Witness to all equally, for we do not know who He has chosen.
Do not see with the eyes of the world, rather seek to see with the eyes of the Spirit.
Only time will tell who is His and who is not.
What will stand the test of time must be time tested
Let this truth drive you to praise the LORD who chose you!
Because He picked you, you are His!
Application
Witness to all equally, for we do not know who He has chosen.
Do not see with the eyes of the world, rather seek to see with the eyes of the Spirit.
= Paul becomes all things to all men so as to save some!
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Let this truth drive you to praise the LORD who chose you!
What will stand the test of time must be time tested
= And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version Chapter 1
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Let this truth drive you to praise the LORD who chose you!
Because He picked you, you are His!
= We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
CLOSE
God our Father help us by your Spirit to understand rightly and respond correctly to this doctrine of election. Keep us from bitterness and haughtiness but instead give us humility and boldness to share this truth with others. Let us boast in Christ and not in ourselves. Give us the wisdom and grace to see your goodness and righteousness in this doctrine and seek to defend it because it is your truth. Lastly LORD help us to apply it to our own lives as we seek to find peace and joy in the fact that, in your grace and mercy while yet we were still sinners you died for us and have called us to yourself! Let our lives be marked with praise!
Amen.
COMMUNIONWhat it stands for ESV23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.Warning ESV27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.Communion Verses ESVNow as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” ESV27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.COMMUNION TOGETHER Fellowship With Each Other ESV42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.